Technology in the Classroom!
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| Source: Giphy |
What is SAMR?
S - substitution. This is exactly what it sounds like. You are replacing things that can be done with a paper and pencil with a digital version of it.
A - augmentation. This level is one step above substitution. In this level you are still in a sense substituting those paper and pencil activities however adding a little twist to it. The biggest idea that resonates with me is gamified activities such as playing a Kahoot. This can be done paper and pencil is more fun with the use of technology and its features.
M - modification This level is where transformation begins to take place. You are no longer just replacing paper and pencil. You are really changing the game for your lesson. Students are using technology to take their learning a step further by utilizing those technology tools to learn and create.
R - redefinition The highest level allows for creation beyond belief that would not be achievable without the use of technology. This includes things like virtual field trips or video chatting with the author of a book.
My Self Evaluation
When learning about the different levels within the SAMR model, I feel in my six years of teaching I have fallen with each level at some point with the lessons I have done. There are some things I have done in my teaching career that I am super proud of. There have been several years where I have participated in The Global Read Aloud. I have had my students collaborate with students from other classes, states, and even in Canada during global read aloud using websites like Flip and Padlet. Students were able to have discussions with other students of their age about the book. Students shared connections or answered questions together. With activities like these, I definitely feel I fall in the redefinition category. These types of interactions with other classes would not be possible without the use of technology.
If you were to ask me where on the spectrum I fall on a daily basis I would say somewhere between augmentation and modification. In my class I use a website called Classkick daily. This website allows many tools for students to utilize. Anything that I type into a document a student can have read aloud to them. Students can record their voice or a video of themselves and upload it to the assignment. Students can draw, type, and highlight. I feel like these tools on this website put me in augmentation on a daily basis. I also use gamified activities such as Kahoot or Blooket often when giving formative assessment.
I also incorporate when I can the modified experience of technology on the SAMR spectrum. Something that I love to do during the editing and revising part of our writing process is have students work with a partner to peer edit. When using Google Docs, students are able to comment on each other's work to make suggestions in a specific part of the writing. I also utilize Padlet for students to be able to have virtual class discussions.When I taught fifth grade, I had students use podcasts to give book talks. 
Source: Blog Author's Padlet
Students would discuss certain aspects of the book using skills we learned in class on their podcast and even have other students from our class guest star on the podcast to have some to discuss the book with. They would discuss things like character traits, themes, and supporting evidence. Students were able to get creative and add intro music, sound effects, and name their podcast.
Overall, I feel I have a mix of all the different SAMR components within my teaching. I do feel I am at the augmentation level the most, however I do move out of that into the transformative levels throughout the year for bigger projects and assessments.
Thanks for the reflection on where you spend most of your time on the SAMR scale, Ashley. Every lesson and every class has the opportunity to move throughout the continuum. The Global Read Aloud project is a fantastic way to redefine a lesson! Back when I was a school-based coach I loved helping teachers with this initiative.
ReplyDeleteGlobal read aloud is so fun, and my students love being able to connect with classes outside of our school! Especially when I get lucky and connect out of state or even out of the country. The think it is so magical!
DeleteHi Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI felt that our relationship with the SAMR scale was very similar. As two teachers it sounds like we do a lot of the same things on a regular basis which make us fall into that augmentation or modification category. I wonder if most teachers fall into this area a majority of the time or if people have different thoughts about this!
Such a good thought! I feel like in this era of technology most teachers probably do all fall in relatively the same categories. Like I mentioned I think that different lessons lend it self more to different parts of the scale. Some are easier to implement than others.
DeleteHello Ashley!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your blog post and reading your experiences using the SAMR Model. I also tend to use the Augmentation step of the SAMR Model, as my previous schoolwork and job experiences require it more than other tiers. I think it's terrific that you love editing as part of your job as a teacher and that you found creative uses for the technology to engage your students’ educational experiences. The only thing I would suggest about your post is going more in-depth about each of the four tiers, otherwise, I thought you wrote a really great blog post. On a side-note, I really like your incorporation of the SpongeBob “technology” meme! It’s a really fun way of summarizing what we learned this week!
Thank you for your feedback! Yes! I thought that meme fit perfectly. We have the technology in our schools but now what?
DeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteI love how in depth you went about each tier of the SAMR Model. I also love how you incorporate technology in your classroom, especially with discussions it easy to forget what is all said during a verbal conversation. Having it all digital helps other keep track what said as well as give the opportunity to revisit the conversations. I am someone who struggles to remember every single details, I need to write everything down but with technology I can easily do that without every carrying so many different materials when all I need is my computer or phone!
Padlet is such a fun way to digitalize your discussions in your classroom. You can then go back to them at any point or your students can use them as references.
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